Verbena bonariensis ‘Lollipop’ — the see-through purple verbena at half height: two-foot wiry stems topped with lavender pompoms from spring to fall, butterflies on every one. Full sun, low water, and a short-lived perennial that self-sows.
Tall verbena is the airy one — stiff, square, nearly leafless stems that let you see the plants behind them, each topped with a cluster of tiny lavender-purple flowers that butterflies and bees work from March until frost. The species grows five feet; ‘Lollipop’ is a dwarf selection at about two feet that suits a small border or a pot and doesn’t flop. It is a short-lived perennial in Queen Creek, returning for two or three years and replacing itself with seedlings.
We commonly carry ‘Lollipop’. Full sun, lean soil, low water. The rest of our perennials are on the Plants pages.
This is the Tall Verbena ‘Lollipop’ we commonly carry. Availability changes week to week and season to season, so call (480) 987-3308 or stop in to see what’s on the bench today.
Verbena bonariensis ‘Lollipop’: a compact form to 24 inches with the same wiry stems and purple flower clusters as the species, spring to frost.
Looking for one that isn’t listed? Ask — we can usually suggest a close match or tell you when it tends to come around.
The care tag was written somewhere else. This is the Queen Creek version.
February through May, or September and October. Spring plantings bloom from April to frost; fall plantings establish over winter. Frost cuts it to the ground; it returns from the crown in March and from seed.
Any well-drained soil, lean rather than rich. Water every three to four days for the first month, then every five to seven days in summer and every two to three weeks in winter, on drip. It is drought-tolerant once established and dislikes wet feet.
The species seeds itself generously; ‘Lollipop’ less so, but expect seedlings around the parent in spring. They come true enough to keep. Pull the ones you don’t want; move the ones you do while small.
Full sun. It leans and flops in shade and flowers less.
Shear spent flower heads off every few weeks to keep new clusters coming, or leave the last ones in fall for goldfinches and for seed. Cut the whole plant to a few inches after frost in December.
Powdery mildew on the lower leaves in humid spells is common and harmless — the stems carry on. Aphids occasionally. Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Snap a photo of the spot — sun, soil, what’s already there — and we’ll pick perennials that will still be alive in three summers. Advice is free.
Perennials are a soil investment: we stock planting mix and compost to break up caliche-heavy beds, gypsum, slow-release and bloom fertilizers, drip fittings and bark or rock mulch. The pottery yard has large glazed and terracotta pots for the ones that live on a patio, and soil and mulch is sold by the bag or by the yard.
February through May, or September and October. It blooms from spring to frost.
For two or three years from the crown, and indefinitely from seedlings. Cut it back after frost.
Every five to seven days in summer, every two to three weeks in winter, once established. It prefers lean, dry conditions.
It is one of the best butterfly plants we sell — swallowtails, monarchs, painted ladies and skippers all work it, along with bees.
Powdery mildew, normal in humid weeks and harmless to the plant. Improve airflow; don’t spray.
Yes, non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Tall Verbena ‘Lollipop’ live on the perennial benches; any staff member can point you to them. Locally owned, and a short drive from San Tan Valley, Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa.